Slag discharge apparatus and slag discharge method

ABSTRACT

A slag crusher ( 20 ) is provided in a combustor of a gasifier ( 10 ) for gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock, and discharges falling slag generated in the combustor from the gasifier ( 10 ). The slag crusher ( 20 ) is provided with: a screen ( 22 ) provided so as to intersect with the direction in which the slag falls, the screen ( 22 ) having a plurality of openings ( 30 ) and passing slag having a diameter smaller than that of the openings ( 30 ); a spreader ( 24 ) for moving over the top surface of the screen ( 22 ) and crushing slag deposited on the top surface of the screen ( 22 ); and a nozzle ( 26 ) for spraying high-pressure water onto the slag deposited on the screen ( 22 ). The slag deposited on the top surface of the screen ( 22 ) thereby more easily passes from the openings ( 30 ) in the screen ( 22 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a slag discharge apparatus and a slag discharge method.

BACKGROUND ART

An ash hopper, in which slag (molten slag) produced in and falling from a combustor is collected, is provided in a lower portion of a gasifier which gasifies a carbonaceous feedstock such as coal (PTLs 1 and 2).

A slag crusher which includes a screen and a spreader is provided in the ash hopper. The slag falling from the combustor is rapidly cooled by water so as to be solidified, and falls on a top face of the screen included in the slag crusher.

The screen is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and includes a plurality of openings. Accordingly, slag which is smaller than diameters of the openings passes through the screen, and falls to the lower portion of the ash hopper.

Meanwhile, slag which is larger than the diameters of the openings, or a slag lump which is an accumulation of the slag which is smaller than the diameters of the openings is accumulated on the top face of the screen. In the slag lump, slag is combined by a friction force in particle layers or cross-linking due to powder pressure.

Accordingly, for example, the spreader provided on the top face of the screen is moved along the top face of the screen by a hydraulic cylinder, and the spreader crushes the slag by applying a force to the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen so as to allow the slag to pass through the screen.

The slag, which falls from the openings of the screen to the lower portion of the ash hopper and is accumulated, is discharged from the gasifier out of a system via a lock hopper.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H7-247484

[PTL 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H9-38510

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

However, even when the spreader is operated, the accumulated slag may be not crushed, and the slag may not pass through the screen by only collecting the slag in the operating direction of the slag crusher.

In addition, an accumulation amount of the slag on the top face of the screen increases, the slag may not be discharged from the gasifier, and the inner portion of the ash hopper may be filled with the slag. In this case, the operation of the gasifier cannot be continued, and the gasifier is stopped.

The present invention is made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a slag discharge apparatus and a slag discharge method capable of allowing the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen more easily to pass through the openings of the screen.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the above-described problems, a slag discharge apparatus and a slag discharge method of the present invention adopt the following means.

According a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slag discharge apparatus which is provided on a combustor of a gasifier gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock and discharges slag produced in and falling from the combustor out of the gasifier, comprising: a screen which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and has a plurality of openings to allow slag which is smaller than diameters of the openings to pass through the screen; crushing means for moving along a top face of the screen to crush the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen; and water flow generating means for allowing liquid to flow onto the slag accumulated on the screen to generate a water flow.

The slag discharge apparatus according to the present configuration is provided on a combustor of a gasifier gasifying the carbonaceous feedstock and discharges slag produced in and falling from the combustor out of the gasifier.

In addition, the slag discharge apparatus includes the screen which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and has the plurality of openings. The slag, which is smaller than the diameters of the openings of the screen, passes through the openings so as to fall. Meanwhile, the slag, which does not pass through the openings and is accumulated on the top face of the screen, is crushed by the crushing means moving along the top face of the screen.

Here, the slag which is accumulated on the top face of the screen includes a slag lump in which slag smaller than the diameters of the openings is combined by a friction force or cross-linking due to powder pressure.

In order to remove the accumulated slag, liquid flows from the water flow generating means onto the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen to generate a water flow. The combination due to the cross-linking is cut by spouting the pressurized liquid onto particles of the slag which are combined by the cross-linking. Accordingly, the slag is gently fluidized from a stationary state. In addition, for example, the liquid spouted onto the slag is water.

In addition, the slag which is easily fluidized is made to flow by the liquid from the water flow generating means. Accordingly, the slag falls along with the liquid from the openings of the screen without moving the crush means. In addition, the slag easily falls from the openings by moving the crushing means.

As described above, in the present configuration, the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen can easily be passed through the openings of the screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, the water flow generating means is provided on a side wall of the screen which is erected in parallel with respect to an operating direction of the crushing means.

According to the present configuration, it is possible to easily and uniformly spout the pressurized liquid onto the accumulated slag.

In the first aspect, preferably, the water flow generating means is provided in the crushing means.

According to the present configuration, since the pressurized liquid is more reliably spouted onto the slag crushed by the crushing means, the combination due to the cross-linking of the accumulated slag is cut, and the slag easily passes through the screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, the crushing means includes an inclined surface which is inclined forward with respect to a crushing direction of the slag.

According to the present configuration, since a downward force is applied to the accumulated slag, the combination due to the cross-linking of the accumulated slag is cut, and the slag easily passes through the screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, the water flow generating means is provided on the inclined surface, and spouts the liquid in the direction of the screen.

According to the present configuration, since the downward force is also added to the slag, which is crushed by the crushing means, due to the spouted liquid, it is possible to more reliably crush the accumulated slag.

In the first aspect, preferably, the water flow generating means is provided in the screen.

According to the present configuration, it is possible to prevent the slag from being accumulated on the top face of the screen, and it is possible to easily and uniformly spout the pressurized liquid onto the accumulated slag.

In the first aspect, preferably, the water flow generating means spouts gas instead of the liquid.

In the first aspect, preferably, the slag discharge apparatus further includes a guide which limits the movement direction of the crushing means.

According to the present configuration, it is possible to stably move the crushing means such as a case where it is possible to prevent the crushing means from floating when the crushing means moves.

In the first aspect, preferably, a plurality of crushing means adjacent to each other are provided on the top face of the screen, the screen is partitioned between the adjacent crushing means by partition means so as to be divided, and the water flow generating means is provided below each divided region.

According to the present configuration, since the slag on the screen is made to flow by the water flow generated by the water flow generating means, it is possible to prevent the slag from remaining on the screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, before a predetermined crushing means is operated, the water flow from the water flow generating means provided below the region corresponding to the predetermined crushing means moves the slag to the regions corresponding to adjacent other crushing means.

According to the present configuration, relatively small slag is made to flow to the regions corresponding to other crushing means by the water flow from the water flow generating means, and falls from the screen. In addition, since the operating crushing means crushes relatively large slag which has not been made to flow by the water flow, it is possible to prevent large slag from remaining on the screen.

In the first aspect, preferably, the lower end portion of the crushing means comes into surface-contact with a surface, which faces crushing means when the crushing means moves, in a width direction.

According to the present configuration, since the lower end portion of the crushing means comes into surface-contact with the surface, which faces crushing means when the crushing means moves, in the width direction, a gap between the lower end portion of the crushing means and the surface facing the crushing means does not occur. Therefore, according to the present configuration, since it is possible to more reliably crush the slag on the screen, it is possible to prevent large slag from remaining on the screen.

According to the present configuration, since gas is spouted from the top face of the screen in a state where the top face of the screen is filled with water, combination due to cross-linking of the slag is cut by rising of air bubbles. Accordingly, since the slag is fluidized, the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen more easily passes through the openings of the screen.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a slag discharge method of using a slag discharge apparatus which is provided on a combustor of a gasifier gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock and discharges slag produced in and falling from the combustor out of the gasifier, comprising: a first step of allowing liquid from water flow generating means to flow onto slag accumulated on a top face of a screen, which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and has a plurality of openings, to generate a water flow; and a second step of moving crushing means for crushing the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen along the top face of the screen.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, excellent effects are obtained in which slag accumulated on a top face of a screen can easily pass through openings of the screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a gasifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view of a slag crusher according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a spreader according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view when a spreader according to a second embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a side.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view when the spreader according to the second embodiment of the present invention is viewed from a front side.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of a screen according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view of a screen according to a modification example of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view of a screen according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view of a screen according to a modification example of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a slag crusher according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section view of a screen and a side wall according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal section view for explaining floating of a spreader.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a slag crusher according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section view when the slag crusher according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the side.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal section view when the slag crusher according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the front side.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section view when viewed from the side to explain a remaining state of slag.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are longitudinal section views when a slag crusher according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is viewed from the side.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of a slag discharge apparatus and a slag discharge method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section view of a gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment.

As carbonaceous feedstocks applied to the gasifier according to the first embodiment, there are wastes such as waste tires or plastics in addition to heavy fuels such as coal, petroleum coke, coal coke, asphalt, pitch, or oil shale. In the following embodiments, a case in which the gasified carbonaceous feedstock is coal will be described.

In the following embodiments, a case in which the gasified carbonaceous feedstock is coal will be described.

In the gasifier 10, pulverized coal which is supplied from a coal supply device (not shown) and char which is recovered by dedusting device (not shown) react with an oxygen containing gas in a combustor 12 under a high temperature atmosphere of approximately 1500° C. to 1800° C. which is an ash melting point or more. Accordingly, when the pulverized coal is combusted at a high temperature in the combustor 12, coal gas which is combustible gas is generated, and slag 14 in which ash in the pulverized coal is melted is generated.

In addition, the high-temperature coal gas obtained by the high temperature combustion in the combustor 12 flows into a reductor 16 which is provided on the upper stage of the combustor 12. The pulverized coal and the char are also supplied to the reductor 16, the supplied pulverized coal and char are further gasified, and coal gas which is combustible gas is generated. In addition, the combustor 12 according to the first embodiment is an entrained bed type combustor. However, the combustor 12 is not limited to this, and may be a fluidized bed type combustor or a fixed bed type combustor.

An ash hopper 18, which collects the slag 14 produced in and falling from the combustor 12, is provided in the lower portion of the gasifier 10.

The ash hopper 18 is provided with a slag crusher 20 which crushes the slag 14 and discharges the slag out of the gasifier 10. In addition, a region of the lower portion of the gasifier 10 which is provided with the slag crusher 20 is filled with water.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section view showing a configuration of the slag crusher 20 according to the first embodiment.

The slag crusher 20 is provided with a screen 22 (also referred to as a crusher mesh), a spreader 24, and a nozzle 26.

The slag 14 falling from the combustor 12 is rapidly cooled by water (hereinafter, referred to as “ash hopper water”) which is spouted from an ash hopper water-supply pipe 28 so as to be solidified, and the solidified slag falls to the top face of the screen 22 provided in the slag crusher 20.

The screen 22 with a plurality of openings 30 is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag 14, and slag 14 which is smaller than diameters of the openings 30 passes through the screen. For example, the screen 22 is a plate-shaped member which includes the openings 30. In addition, the shape of each of the openings 30 is not particularly limited, and for example, has a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

The slag 14 passing through the openings 30 falls to the lower portion of the ash hopper 18 along with the ash hopper water. As shown in FIG. 1, a lock hopper 34 is connected to the lower portion of the ash hopper 18, and the slag 14 falling to the lower portion of the ash hopper 18 is discharged out of the system via the lock hopper 34.

In addition, as an example, the gasifier 10 of FIG. 1 adopts a gravity falling method in which the slag 14 is discharged out of the system by making the slag 14 fall to the lock hopper 34. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a horizontal suction method may be adopted in which the slag 14 is extracted so as to be reused without causing the slag 14 to fall to the lock hopper 34.

The spreader 24 is moved along the top face of the screen 22 by the hydraulic cylinder 36 and guide rods 37, and crushes the slag 14 accumulated on the top face of the screen 22. In addition, the position of the spreader 24 shown in FIG. 2 is a standby position before the spreader moves along the top face of the screen 22.

A receiving plate 38 is provided on a side opposite to the standby position of the spreader 24. That is, the spreader 24 moves from the standby position to the receiving plate 38, and the slag 14 accumulated on the top face of the screen 22 is collected. In addition, the slag 14 is interposed between the spreader 24 and the receiving plate 38, and the accumulated slag 14 is crushed. In addition, protrusion portions 40 are provided on a front surface of the spreader 24 so as to easily crush the slag 14. In addition, as an example, each of the protrusion portions 40 shown in FIG. 2 has a conical shape. However, the shape of the protrusion portion 40 is not limited to this and may have a truncated cone shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, a polygonal frustum of pyramid shape, or the like.

In addition, the spreader 24 according to the first embodiment is provided with an inclined surface 24A which is inclined forward with respect to the crushing direction of the slag 14. The inclined surface 24A is provided on the lower portion of the spreader 24. The spreader 24 collects the accumulated slag 14 mainly by the inclined surface 24A. The portion above the inclined surface 24A becomes a perpendicular surface 24B perpendicular to the screen 22.

In addition, the nozzle 26 is water flow generating means which causes liquid to flow onto the slag 14 accumulated on the screen 22 to generate a water flow, and as a specific example, the nozzle 26 is a spouting hole which spouts pressurized liquid. The nozzle 26 according to the first embodiment is provided on the inclined surface 24A of the spreader 24. As shown in a front view of the spreader 24 of FIG. 3, for example, the plurality of nozzles 26 are horizontally provided on the inclined surface 24A.

For example, the pressurized liquid which is spouted from the nozzle 26 is water. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pressurized liquid may be liquid which can cut cross-linking of the slag 14 as described below. In addition, in descriptions below, the pressurized water is referred to as high pressure water. For example, the pressure of the high pressure water is 3 MPa to 5 MPa.

A water supply pipe 42, through which the high pressure water is supplied to the ash hopper water-supply pipe 28, is branched and connected to the nozzle 26. More specifically, the branched water supply pipe 42 is connected to a high pressure hose 44. The high pressure hose 44 has flexibility so as to correspond to the movement of the spreader 24, and is supported by a high pressure hose receiver 46.

The high pressure hose 44 is connected to a high pressure water header 48. The high pressure water header supplies the plurality of nozzles 26 with the high pressure water.

Next, an operation of the slag crusher 20 according to the first embodiment will be described.

The slag 14 generated in the combustor 12 falls on the top face of the screen 22.

In the slag 14 which falls on the top face of the screen 22, the slag 14 which is smaller than the diameters of the openings 30 of the screen 22 passes through the openings 30, and falls to the lower portion of the ash hopper 18, that is, the lower portion of the gasifier 10.

Meanwhile, the slag 14 which is larger than the diameters of the openings 30, or slag lumps which are accumulations of the slag 14 which is smaller than the diameters of the openings 30 cannot pass through the openings 30, and are accumulated on the top face of the screen 22.

Accordingly, the spreader 24 moves from the standby position to the receiving plate 38 along the top face of the screen 22 every fixed time interval. Accordingly, the spreader 24 crushes the accumulated slag 14 such that the slag 14 easily passes through the openings 30.

In addition, since the spreader 24 according to the first embodiment applies a downward force to the accumulated slag 14 using the inclined surface 24A, the accumulated slag 14 can be more reliably crushed.

However, the slag lumps, in which small slag 14 is combined by cross-linking, are not crushed by the spreader 24, do not pass through the openings 30, and may be collected in the movement direction of the spreader 24.

Accordingly, the high pressure water is spouted from the nozzles 26, which are provided on the inclined surface 24A of the spreader 24, toward the slag 14. Since the high pressure water is spouted to the particles of the slag 14 combined by cross-linking, the combination by cross-linking is cut. Accordingly, the slag 14 is gently fluidized from a stationary state.

In addition, since the nozzles 26 are provided on the inclined surface 24A, the high pressure water is more reliably spouted to the slag 14 which is crushed by the spreader 24. Accordingly, it is possible more reliably crush the accumulated slag 14.

Moreover, a time interval of the emission of the high pressure water from the nozzles 26 may be the same as a time interval of the movement of the spreader 24, or the emission of the high pressure water may be intermittently or continuously performed regardless of the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24.

In addition, the slag 14, which is easily fluidized, is made to flow by the high pressure water spouted from the nozzles 26. Accordingly, the slag 14 falls from the openings 30 of the screen 22 along with the high pressure water without moving the spreader 24. In addition, the slag 14 easily falls from the openings 30 even by moving spreader 24.

As described above, the slag crusher 20 according to the first embodiment is provided with the screen 22 which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag 14 and has the plurality of openings 30 to allow the slag 14 which is smaller than diameters of the openings 30 to pass through the screen, the spreader 24 which moves along the top face of the screen 22 to crush the slag 14 accumulated on the top face of the screen 22, and the nozzles 26 which spouts the high pressure water onto the slag 14 accumulated on the screen 22.

Accordingly, the slag crusher 20 causes the slag 14 accumulated on the top face of the screen 22 to more easily pass through the openings 30 of the screen 22. Therefore, even when the slag 14 is accumulated on the top face of the screen 22, it is possible to more reliably discharge the slag 14 by the slag crusher 20. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operation of the gasifier 10 from being stopped due to accumulation of the slag 14, and a continuous operation of the gasifier 10 can be performed.

Moreover, in the slag crusher 20 according to the first embodiment, the nozzles 26 are provided on the inclined surface 24A of the spreader 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the nozzles 26 may be provided on the perpendicular surface 24B of the spreader 24.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section view when the spreader 24 according to the second embodiment is viewed from a side. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section view when the spreader 24 according to the second embodiment is viewed from a front side, and is a section view taken along A-A in FIG. 4. In addition, in FIGS. 4 and 5, the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 2 and 3 are assigned to the same configuration portions as those of FIGS. 2 and 3, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The nozzles 26 according to the second embodiment are provided on the inclined surface 24A, and spouts high pressure water in the direction of the screen 22.

For example, a header 50 is provided in the inner portion of the spreader 24. The plurality of nozzles 26 facing downward are connected to the header 50, and the high pressure water is spouted from the nozzles 26 to the top face of the screen 22. Moreover, the time interval of the emission of the high pressure water from the nozzles 26 may be the same as the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24, or the emission of the high pressure water may be intermittently or continuously performed regardless of the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24. In addition, when the high pressure water header 48 is provided in the slag crusher 20, the header 50 may not be provided.

Accordingly, in the slag crusher 20 according to the second embodiment, since the downward force is applied to the slag 14, which is crushed by the spreader 24, by the high pressure water, it is possible to more reliably crush the accumulated slag 14.

Third Embodiment

Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted.

In the slag crusher 20 according to the third embodiment, nozzles 60 which spouts high pressure water are provided in the screen 22.

FIG. 6 is an example of a longitudinal section view of the screen 22 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the example of FIG. 6, the nozzles 60, to which the high pressure water is supplied via headers 62, are provided on the side surface of the openings 30 of the screen 22. The water supply pipe 42, through which the high pressure water is supplied to the ash hopper water-supply pipe 28, is branched, and is connected to the header 62.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view of the screen according to a modification example of the third embodiment.

In the example of FIG. 7, the nozzles 60, to which the high pressure water is supplied via the headers 62, are provided on the top face of the screen 22.

In addition, the time interval of the emission of the high pressure water from the nozzles 60 may be the same as the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24, or the emission of the high pressure water may be intermittently or continuously performed regardless of the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24.

In the slag crusher 20 according to the third embodiment, since the high pressure water is spouted to particles of the slag 14 combined by cross-linking, the combination by the cross-linking is cut. Accordingly, the accumulated slag 14 is easily fluidized.

Moreover, since the pressure water is spouted from the lower portion of the screen 22 toward the upper portion, it is possible to prevent the slag 14 from being accumulated on the top face of the screen 22, and it is possible to easily and uniformly spout the pressurized liquid to the accumulated slag 14.

Fourth Embodiment

Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are longitudinal section views of the screen 22 according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, in FIGS. 8 and 9, the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 6 and 7 are assigned to the same configuration portions as those of FIGS. 6 and 7, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

In this screen 22 according to the fourth embodiment, high pressure gas (hereinafter, referred to as “high pressure gas”) instead of the high pressure water is spouted from the nozzles 60. Accordingly, the headers 62 are connected to the high pressure gas supply pipe 42 through which the high pressure gas is supplied.

Moreover, the time interval of the emission of the high pressure gas from the nozzles 60 may be the same as the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24, or the emission of the high pressure gas may be intermittently or continuously performed regardless of the time interval of the movement of the spreader 24.

Due to the high pressure water spouted from the nozzles 60 provided in the spreader 24 or the water from the ash hopper water-supply pipe 28, the top face of the screen 22 is filled with water.

In addition, in the slag crusher 20 according to the fourth embodiment, since the gas is spouted from the top face of the screen 22 in the state where the top face of the screen 22 is filled with water, air bubbles of the high pressure gas rise from the top face of the screen 22. The combination of the slag 14 by cross-linking is cut by the rising of the air bubbles. Accordingly, since the slag 14 is fluidized, the slag 14 accumulated on the top face of the screen 22 more easily passes through the openings 30 of the screen 22.

Fifth Embodiment

Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the slag crusher 20 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section view of the screen 22 and side walls 70 according to the fifth embodiment, and is a sectional view taken along A-A in FIG. 10. In addition, in FIGS. 10 and 11, the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 2 and 3 are assigned to the same configuration portions as those of FIGS. 2 and 3, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

The slag crusher 20 according to the fifth embodiment includes nozzles 72 which spout high pressure water at the side walls 70 of the screen 22 which are erected in parallel with respect to the operating direction of the spreader 24.

As shown in FIG. 11, for example, the nozzles 72 are provided in the lower portions of the side walls 70.

In the slag crusher 20 according to the fifth embodiment, it is possible to easily and uniformly spout the high pressure water to the accumulated slag 14. In addition, since the nozzles 72 are provided on the side walls 70, it is possible to easily install the nozzles 72 on the slag crusher 20.

In addition, the high pressure water spouted from the nozzles 72 may be also used as the ash hopper water.

Sixth Embodiment

Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted.

Here, as shown in FIG. 12, when the spreader 24 crushes the slag 14, since the slag 14 is crushed at the lower portion of the spreader 24, the spreader 24 is plunged forward, a load is generated in the guide rods 37 or the like, and the guide rods 37 are likely to be damaged.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with guides 80 which limit the movement direction of the spreader 24. That is, the guides 80 are provided along the movement direction of the spreader 24.

In addition, FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 respectively are a top view of the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment, a longitudinal section view when viewed from the side, and a longitudinal section view when viewed from the front side.

In addition, in the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment, a pair of two spreaders 24 which face each other is provided, and the pair of spreaders 24 moves on the top face of the screen 22 to crush the slag 14.

In addition, in the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment, for example, two sets of pairs of spreaders 24 are provided on the top face of the screen 22 to be adjacent to each other, and the screen 22 is partitioned between the adjacent spreaders 24 so as to be divided by the partition portion 81. In addition, a purge nozzle 83 is provided below each of the divided regions (hereinafter, referred to as a “first chamber 82_1” and a “second chamber 82_2”). As shown in FIG. 13, the spreader 24 of a first system and the spreader 24 of a third system are paired with each other, and the spreader 24 of a second system and the spreader 24 of a fourth system are paired with each other.

In addition, the slag crusher 20 may include three sets or more of pairs of spreaders 24. In this case, the screen 22 is divided into three or more regions by two or more partition portions 81.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the guide 80 is formed of side plates 80A provided on both side surfaces of the spreaders 24 and an upper plate 80B provided on the spreaders 24.

The upper plate 80B covers a portion of a movement range of the upper portion of the spreader 24. In addition, since the partition portion 81 is provided on the side surface of the spreader 24, the partition portion 81 partitions the screen 22 and has a function of the guide 80. In addition, the side plates 80A may be integrated with the side walls 70 of the screen 22.

Since the guides 80 are provided, the movement of the spreader 24 is more stabilized. Particularly, since floating of the spreader 24 is prevented by the upper plate 80B, it is possible to prevent the spreader 24 from being plunged forward.

The purge nozzle 83 is provided below the screen 22 in the vicinity of approximately the center of each of the first chamber 82_1 and the second chamber 82_2, and allows liquid (for example, water, and hereinafter, referred to as a “purge water”) to flow onto the slag 14 from below the screen 22 to generate a water flow. Among slag 14 positioned on the screen 22, relatively small slag 14 (light slag 14) floats from the screen 22 by the purge water.

Next, an operation method of the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment will be described.

In the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment, the pair of spreader 24 is alternately operated. That is, the slag crusher 20 of the second system and the fourth system are not operated during the operations of the slag crushers 20 of the first system and the third system. Meanwhile, the slag crushers 20 of the first system and the third system are not operated during the operations of the slag crushers 20 of the second system and the fourth system.

Moreover, in the slag crusher 20, before a predetermined spreader 24 is operated, the slag 14 is moved to the regions corresponding to adjacent other spreaders 24 by the water flow from the purge nozzle 83 provided below the region corresponding to the predetermined spreader 24.

It will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 15.

Before the spreaders 24 of the first and third systems are operated, the purge water flows from the purge nozzle 83 which is provided below the first chamber 82_1. The slag 14 on the screen 22 of the first chamber 82_1 is floated by the water flow, and since both sides of the slag crusher 20 are inner walls of the gasifier 10, the floated slag 14 moves to the second chamber 82_2. In this case, since the slag 14 which moves to the second chamber 82_2 is relatively small (light) slag 14, relatively large (heavy) slag 14 remains in the first chamber 82_1.

The slag 14 which moves to the second chamber 82_2 falls from the openings 30 of the screen 22 of the second chamber 82_2.

Meanwhile, the slag 14 which remains in the first chamber 82_1 is crushed by the operations of the spreaders of the first and third systems and falls from the openings 30 of the screen 22 of the first chamber 82_1.

In addition, after the slag crusher 20 operates the spreaders 24 of the first and third systems, the slag crusher 20 operates the spreaders 24 of the second and fourth systems. In this case, before the spreaders 24 of the second and fourth systems are operated, the purge water flows from the purge nozzle 83 provided below the second chamber 82_2, the slag 14 on the screen 22 of the second chamber 82_2 moves to the first chamber 82_1, and thereafter, the spreaders 24 of the second and fourth systems are operated.

In this way, in the slag crusher 20 according to the sixth embodiment, small slag 14 is made to flow to the regions corresponding to other spreaders 24 by the water flow from the purge nozzle 83 and falls from the screen 22. In addition, since the operating spreader 24 crushes relatively large slag 14 which has not been made to flow by the water flow, it is possible to prevent large slag 14 from remaining on the screen 22.

Seventh Embodiment

Hereinafter, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Since the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the seventh embodiment is the same as the configuration of the gasifier 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, descriptions thereof are omitted. In addition, in the slag crusher 20 according to the seventh embodiment, a pair of two spreaders which face to each other is provided, and the spreaders 24 move on the top faces of the pair of the screens 22 to crush the slag 14.

Here, FIG. 16 is a longitudinal section view for explaining a remaining state of the slag 14.

As shown in FIG. 16, if a gap between the lowest protrusion portion 40 and the screen 22 is generated even when the spreaders 24 move, the slag 14 may remain in the gap.

Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the lower end portion of each of the spreaders 24 according to the seventh embodiment includes a protrusion 90 which is formed to come into surface-contact with a surface, which faces the spreader 24 when the spreader 24 moves, in the width direction. For example, the protrusion 90 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape which extends in the width direction of the spreader 24.

In addition, FIGS. 17A and 17B are longitudinal section views when the slag crusher 20 according to the seventh embodiment is viewed from the side, FIG. 17A shows a state before the spreaders 24 move, and FIG. 17B shows a state after the spreaders 24 move.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 17B, if the spreaders 24 move, since the surfaces of the protrusions 90 of the spreaders 24 which face each other come into surface-contact with each other in the width direction, there is no gap between the spreaders 24 facing each other.

Accordingly, in the slag crusher 20 according to the seventh embodiment, since it is possible to more reliably crush the slag 14 on the screen 22, it is possible to prevent large slag 14 from remaining on the screen 22.

Hereinbefore, the present invention is described using the embodiments. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments. Various modifications or improvements are added to the embodiments within a scope which does not depart from the gist of the present invention, and aspects to which modifications or improvements are added are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the plurality of embodiments may be combined.

For example, in the first to fifth embodiments, the aspect is described, in which the spreader 24 and the receiving plate 38 face each other and the spreader 24 moves toward the receiving plate 38. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an aspect may be adopted in which the spreader 24 is provided instead of the receiving plate 38 and a pair of spreaders 24 moves on the top face of the screen 22 to crush the slag 14.

Moreover, in the sixth and seventh embodiments, the aspect is described, in which the spreaders 24 face each other and the pair of spreaders 24 moves on the top face of the screen 22 to crush the slag 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an aspect may be adopted in which the spreader 24 and the receiving plate 38 face each other and the spreader 24 moves toward the receiving plate 38.

Moreover, in the sixth and seventh embodiments, the slag crusher 20 may include the nozzles 26, 60, and 72 described in the first to fifth embodiments, and the nozzles 26, 60, and 72 may appropriately spout high pressure water or high pressure gas. For example, in a case where the spreader 24 is not operated, the nozzles 26, 60, and 72 spout high pressure water or high pressure gas.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiments, the aspect in which water or gas flows through the nozzles 26, 60, and 72 and the purge nozzle 83 is described. However, purity of water is not particularly limited, and an aqueous solution, a solution, or the like may be adopted so as to easily discharge the slag 14. In addition, for example, the gas is air or an inert gas (nitrogen gas, argon gas, or the like). However, the gas is not particularly limited.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   -   10: gasifier     -   12: combustor     -   14: slag     -   20: slag crusher     -   22: screen     -   24: spreader     -   24A: inclined surface     -   26: nozzle     -   30: opening     -   60: nozzle     -   70: side wall     -   72: nozzle     -   80: guide     -   81: partition portion     -   83: purge nozzle 

1. A slag discharge apparatus which is provided on a combustor of a gasifier gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock and discharges slag produced in and falling from the combustor out of the gasifier, comprising: a screen which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and has a plurality of openings to allow slag which is smaller than diameters of the openings to pass through the screen; crushing means for moving along a top face of the screen to crush the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen; and water flow generating means for allowing liquid to flow onto the slag accumulated on the screen to generate a water flow, wherein a plurality of crushing means adjacent to each other are provided on the top surface of the screen, the screen is partitioned between the adjacent crushing means by partition means so as to be divided, and the water flow generating means is provided for each divided region.
 2. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water flow generating means is provided on a side wall of the screen which is erected in parallel with respect to an operating direction of the crushing means.
 3. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water flow generating means is provided in the crushing means.
 4. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the crushing means includes an inclined surface which is inclined forward with respect to a crushing direction of the slag.
 5. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the water flow generating means is provided on the inclined surface, and spouts the liquid in the direction of the screen.
 6. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water flow generating means is provided in the screen.
 7. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the water flow generating means spouts gas instead of the liquid.
 8. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a guide which limits the movement direction of the crushing means.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein before a predetermined crushing means is operated, the water flow from the water flow generating means provided below the region corresponding to the predetermined crushing means moves the slag to the regions corresponding to adjacent other crushing means.
 11. The slag discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lower end portion of the crushing means comes into surface-contact with a surface, which faces crushing means when the crushing means moves, in a width direction.
 12. A slag discharge method of using a slag discharge apparatus which is provided on a combustor of a gasifier gasifying a carbonaceous feedstock and discharges slag produced in and falling from the combustor out of the gasifier, comprising: a first step of allowing liquid from water flow generating means to flow onto slag accumulated on a top face of a screen, which is provided transversely with respect to the fall direction of the slag and has a plurality of openings, to generate a water flow; and a second step of moving crushing means for crushing the slag accumulated on the top face of the screen along the top face of the screen, wherein a plurality of crushing means adjacent to each other are provided on the top surface of the screen, the screen is partitioned between the adjacent crushing means by partition means so as to be divided, and the water flow generating means is provided for each divided region. 